Unit 4

Polymers

Vocabulary Preview

Write the letter of each adjective next to its opposite.

_________ 1. stiff a. fragile

_________ 2. natural b. transparent

_________ 3. similar d. small

_________ 4. strong e. flexible

_________ 5. large g. weak

_________ 6 opaque h. different

_________ 7. durable i. synthetic

Pre-reading

Before you read, answer the following questions with a partner or your
classmates?

• Are plastics natural or synthetic?

• Can all plastics be recycled?
• What is an adhesive?

Reading

With names like polypropylene and polyethylene that may cause confusion,
it's not surprising that polymers are commonly referred to by their more familiar
name—plastics. Essentially, polymers, or plastics, are compounds composed of
multiple elements that are chemically bound. Unlike most compounds, which
consist of numerous small molecules containing only a few atoms each, polymer
molecules come in a large arrangement of atoms linked in long chains.

Rubber stands out as one of the most commonly used polymers due to its
diverse applications, ranging from rubber bands to car tires. In its natural form,
rubber comes from latex, a natural liquid extracted from rubber trees.
Nevertheless, the majority of polymers used in industries are synthetic rather than
natural. The term 'plastic' generally includes man-made polymers, which come in
various forms.

One category of synthetic polymers is known as thermoplastics. These plastics

can be melted through heat and shaped within containers. Once the liquid cools, it
solidifies into a durable material. Thermoplastics possess the unique ability to be
reheated and molded repeatedly. Common examples of thermoplastics in
engineering include Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), a lightweight material
utilized in vehicle bodywork. Another variant is Polycarbonate, known for
producing robust, transparent panels and vehicle lights. Polyvinylchloride (PVC) is
yet another type, often preferred for its affordability in applications like window
frames and pipes.

In contrast, thermosets, or thermosetting plastics, share the same process of being

heated and molded like thermoplastics. They can also be blended from cold ingredients.
However, a crucial chemical reaction takes place during cooling or mixing, causing
thermosets to cure permanently and lose their moldability. Heating a cured thermoset will
result in it burning. Engineering applications frequently involve thermosets like Epoxy
Resins, valued for their strength in adhesives. Polyimides, another type of thermosets, are
both strong and flexible, commonly serving as insulators in certain electric cables.
Elastomers, on the other hand, represent highly elastic polymers capable of stretching to
at least twice their original length under force and returning to their initial length when
the force is removed.

Comprehension Check

Answer TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) according to the text. Write T or F next to each
statement then correct the false statements.

____________ 1. Rubber is a synthetic polymer derived from latex, a liquid

extracted from rubber trees.
________________________________________________________

____________ 2. The molecules of polymers consist of a small number of atoms

joined together in short chains.
________________________________________________________

____________ 3. Polyvinylchloride (PVC) is a type of thermoplastic that can be

recycled multiple times.
________________________________________________________

____________ 4. Elastomers are polymers known for their ability to burn when
heated after setting.
________________________________________________________

____________ 5. Epoxy resins, categorized as thermosets, are often used as

insulators in certain electric cables due to their flexibility.
________________________________________________________

Complete the following statements with a word from the list.

thermosets – epoxy – natural – elastomers – molecules

1. Latex is a ________________ polymer that comes from rubber trees.

2. Plastics are polymers that consist of long chains of ________________.
3. Once they cool, ________________ cannot be heated again.
4. ________________ is a very strong thermoset resin.
5. ________________ are strong and flexible thermosets.

Word Study

Complete the chart with the correct word form.

noun adjective adverb

--------------------------- natural ---------------------------

synthesis --------------------------- ---------------------------

--------------------------- --------------------------- originally

--------------------------- chemical ---------------------------

repetition --------------------------- ---------------------------

--------------------------- --------------------------- frequently

Discussion

Answer these questions in your own words. Discuss with a partner.

1. What are the two main types of polymers Can you give examples of each?

2. What are the three main categories used to describe the chemical
composition of materials?

3. What is an alloy? Can you provide an example of a widely used alloying metal?

4. What are composite materials? Can you give an example of a modern everyday
composite?

5. What are some examples of early composite materials? What materials are
they made from?
Grammar: The Future

We use the simple future when we decide to do something

at the time of speaking.
Examples:
A: Why did you leave the door open?
B: I’m sorry. I’ll go and shut it

Making Offers to Do Something in the Future

We usually use the future tense when we offer to do something.
Examples:
1. That bag looks heavy. I’ll help you with it.
2. A: I need some money.
B: Don’t worry. I’ll lend you some.

Tom has a lot of things to do, and you offer to do them for him.

Example:
Tom: Oh, I have to clean up.
You: That’s all right. I’ll clean up.
1. Tom: Oh, I have to get dinner ready.
You: No, that's all right. I _________________________________________ .

2. Tom: Oh, I have to do the shopping.

You: No, that's all right. I _________________________________________ .

3. Tom: Oh, I have to water the plants.

You: No, that's all right. I _________________________________________

Making Promises
We also usually use the future tense when we promise to do or not to do
something.
Examples:
1. A: You know that book I lent you? Can I have it back?
B: Of course. I'll bring it back this afternoon.
2. A: You can take my bicycle, but don’t leave it outside.
B: Don’t worry. I' won't leave it outside.

Someone is asking you to do those things. Promise to do or not to do them for

him.

1. A: Can you clean the windows?

B: Sure, I ________________________ them this afternoon.
2. A: Can you call me later?
B: Sure, I ________________________ you tonight.
3. A: Can you fix the clock?
B: Okay, I ________________________ it tomorrow.
3. A: Please don't tell anyone.
B: All right, I ________________________ anyone.
4. A: Please don't hurt me.
B: Don't worry, I ________________________ you.

Deciding to Do or Not To Do Something in the Future

Examples:
I'm too tired to walk home. I ________________________ a taxi.

I’m too tired to walk home. I think I’ll take a taxi.

It's cold. You decide to close the window.

I think I’ll close the window.

It's raining. You decide not to go out.

I don’t think I’ll go out.

Read the situation and write your response using “I think I’ll…” or “ I don’t
think I’ll...”

1. I'm a little hungry. I __________________________ (get) something to eat.

2. It's too late to call Tom now. I __________________________ (call) him in the
morning.
3. A: "It's a bit cold in this room."
B: "Is it? I __________________________ (turn on) the heat then."
4. A: "We don't have any milk."
B: "Oh, we don't? I __________________________ (go out) and get some."
5. A: "Did you write that letter to Jack?"
B: "Oh, I forgot. Thanks for reminding me. I __________________________ (write) it
tonight."
6. A: "Would you like tea or coffee?"
B: " I __________________________ (have) coffee, please."
7. You feel tired. You decide to go to bed.
I ______________________________ .
8. A friend of yours offers you a ride home, but you decide to walk.
Thank you, but I ______________________________ .
9. You arranged to play tennis. Now you decide that you don't want to play.
I ______________________________ .
10. You were going to go swimming. Now you decide that you don't want to go.
I ______________________________ .
11. You were going to go out with friends. Now you decide that you want to stay
home.
I ______________________________ home this evening.

Writing:

Complete the following paragraph with the words in the list.

things – reduce –disappear – help – remember – strong – containers –
safe – recycle – people – long – bottles – animal – earth
Plastics are materials made by _____________. They are useful because they are
_____________ and light. People use plastics for many _____________ in daily life.
We have plastic _____________ for drinks, plastic bags for shopping, and plastic
_____________ for storing food. Plastics help keep things _____________ and
clean. But, it's important to _____________ that too much plastic can harm the
_____________. When we throw plastic away, it doesn't _____________. It can stay
in the environment for a very _____________ time. This is not good for
_____________ and plants. So, it's a good idea to _____________ the use of plastic
when we can. We can use fewer plastic bags and _____________ our plastic items.
By doing this, we can _____________ keep the Earth healthy and happy.

Know Your Numbers

Read these arithmetic operations then write the sum or product of each one.

a. 5 + 3 + 1 = _______________ f. 2 x (3 + 2) = _______________

b. 4 + 1 + 3 = _______________ g. 10 – (5 x 2) = _______________

c. 2 (1 + 2) = _______________ h. 3 + (2 x 2) = _______________

d. 1 + 1 + 3 = _______________ j. (5 x 2) – 7 = _______________

e. 2 (8 – 6) = _______________ i. 8 – (2 x 3) = _______________

Rhyme Time
Change one letter to make a new word.

1. _f_ o_ o_ d something to eat

2. _ _ _ _ not bad

3. _ _ _ _ comes from trees

4. _ _ _ _ made of letters

5. _ _ _ _ your job

6. _ _ _ _ used for eating

 7. _ _ _ _ meat from a pig

Riddle of the Day: What am I?

In tropical realms where I'm found,

A bouncing treasure on the ground.

From latex sap, I take my birth,

Stretchy, elastic, full of mirth.

What am I?